In a race supposed to be dominated by the Europeans, Da Hoss scored an upset for the American contigent with a 1 1/2-length win in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Mile.
Jockey Gary Stevens placed his mount just behind the pace after a half-mile and followed trainer Michael Dickinson’s instructions to the letter.
“He walked the turf course this morning and he knew the best part of the course to put me on,” Stevens said. “We had just a great trip all the way. We saved ground along the rail, which is where Michael said we should be. We knew we had a good 3-16ths run with this horse.”
Da Hoss, who finished 13th and last in the 1995 Breeders’ Cup Sprint, paid $18.90, $7.80 and $5.80. He ran 1:35 4/5 over a course listed as good.
French-based filly Spinning World ($8.50, $6.80) chased the winner. New Yorker Same Old Wish ($10.30) was third.
Favorite Mark of Esteem, who was coupled with Charnwood Forest, finished seventh.
“This turf course is like two different turf courses. It’s soft in the back(stretch) and good down the straight,” said jockey Frankie Dettori. “He broke well. But he got a little rank with me.”
